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Big Little Lies’ Back-of-the-book Description:
Sometimes it’s the little lies that turn out to be the most lethal…
A murder…a tragic accident…or just parents behaving badly?
What’s indisputable is that someone is dead. But who did what?Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:
Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?).
Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.
New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.
My Thoughts
I came across Liane Moriarty’s books about two years ago, I think a friend had read one and recommended it. I instantly fell in love with her writing! It’s also pretty cool (to me) that she’s Australian and all of her books take place in Australia. I’m a sucker for the way people from other countries write and stories that take place somewhere other than America. I’m not sure why. I like to travel so maybe that’s it.
Anyways! They’ve made an HBO series based on Big Little Lies, so I figured I should let you all know about the book, in case you want to read it quickly before the show starts. Or while it’s on. Or after it’s over. I don’t know, man, you do you.
I loved this book! The story is centered around women and their drama involving kids, other mothers, and internal fears and desires they’re keeping secret. I really liked that it wasn’t pitting other women against each other based of stereotypical jealousy and that kind of nonsense, but rather real, honest problems that occur with children and mothers.
This book also touches on the subject of domestic violence, which is an incredibly important issue that probably doesn’t get addressed enough. Moriarty does a wonderful job of highlighting the internal emotional struggle wives and mothers *probably* face when placed in that kind of terrible situation. (*I have no personal experience with this, thank God, so I am only speculating.)
Now, as you may know, I am not a mother. Or a wife. But I had no trouble getting sucked into this story at all! The author does a great job of making it relatable and interesting, while keeping it tense and suspenseful. The characters were wonderfully engaging and the twist at the end was everything you could hope it to be!
And the words! Holy cow, Big Little Lies was full of wonderful quotes. No matter how great the show is (and it looks like it’s going to be really great!) there’s no way they can use every single wonderful line that Moriarty wrote.
Buy it now!
Some of the best quotes from Big Little Lies:
“All conflict can be traced back to someone’s feelings getting hurt, don’t you think?”
“Reading a novel was like returning to a once-beloved holiday destination.”
“there was something in your children that could bring out the child in yourself.”
“It’s because we live in a beauty-obsessed society where the most important thing a woman can do is make herself attractive to men.”
In Conclusion
I’d give Big Little Lies 4 stars for sure! and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who likes an intriguing drama/ suspense about women and relationships. If you’re planning on watching the show, you should also read the book at some point. Her writing is incredible!
Thanks for reading the review! Please check out the Pinterest Pin-able quotes below.
Never heard of it before – sounds kinda interesting 🙂
It really is interesting, in my opinion.
Thanks for stopping by!
Love your take on the book. I’ve been loving the HBO mini-series but haven’t had a chance to read the book. The quotes you picked are really thought provoking.
There are so many wonderful lines in the book that are thought provoking and beautiful! I definitely recommend reading it.
And I have been loving the show as well! They’re doing a great job. 🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I love those quotes you shared! I’m not a mother or wife either, but I also enjoyed this book! Moriarty always has a way to pull me in and make me connect with her characters. It’s also refreshing to read about women who are dealing with their insecurities and anxieties. None of them are perfect, which makes them so relatable. Great review!
Thank you so much! I completely agree- her characters are well written and connect-able. 🙂
I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!
That’s why this sounded so familiar! I saw the trailer for the HBO series. I want to read the book first before watching, sounds like an awesome book!
Oh I definitely support the decision to read the book first! I feel like I have insider knowledge about the show! Lol
Thanks for reading and commenting:)
I’m actually reading this one now! Glad to hear it’s a good one!
Oh it’s so good! I hope you like it as much as I did. 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting, Rachel.
I really enjoyed the book, read it on the airplane coming and going to Hawaii. I have a love/hate with the show, it’s bothering me so much how they are showing areas that aren’t even in Monterey or remotely close haha
Lol. Oh no! I’ve never been there so I wouldn’t know what location they were showing.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I hope the show gets better for you! 🙂
I loved this book! I liked how they kept flashing forward to the interviews. The show is really good too!
I agree – the flashing to the interviews was a great touch!
I’m loving the show so far. They had great casting.
I read this book a couple of months ago and I couldn’t put it down! Soooo good. If you watch the show, let me know if it’s worth it!
I’m watching the show and so far it is really good!! Definitely worth it. In this last episode they added something that wasn’t in the book…. idk how I feel about it. We’ll see how it plays out. But other than that everything has been great. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.